Blue Heart Records artist: Willie J. Campbell - Be Cool - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Be Cool, from Willie J. Campbell and it's really strong. Opening with You Better Let Go, Sugar Ray Rayford is upfront on lead vocal, with Willie J. Campbell on bass, Brooks Milgate on keys, Kid Ramos on guitar and Jimi Bott on drums. Ramos lays out a really nice guitar solo on this somewhat funky track, nicely complimented by Condron Hampton on congas. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Can't Stay Away, featuring Janiva Magness on lead vocal and Brian Templeton on backing vocal, as well as Anson Funderburgh showing exceptional finesse on guitar. Also appearing on this track are Mike Morgan and Shawn Pittman on guitars.  Excellent! Templeton has the mic on Drone with it's droning bass line and features the harmonica wizardry of Jason Ricci. There's hardly a track that Ricci contributes to that I don't think that he improves substantially so this is another of my favorites. another Texas style shuffle, Docksidin', lets Funderburgh stretch a bit on guitar and the guy can really play. Milgate on keys as well as Pittman and Morgan on guitars really add as well. Very cool. Shawn Pittman has the spotlight on Devil On My Shoulder with super lead vocals and acoustic guitar and excellent slide work by Morgan. Milgate's piano work on She's a Twister is a standout with Templeton on lead vocals and a flurry of guitar by Ramos. Very nice. The release concludes with two equally iridescent tracks. First up, Use As Needed featuring Templeton on lead vocal and Peter Green's instrumental, Albatross, both which showcase the beautiful guitar work of Ramos and include the piano of Pat McDougall. This really is a terrific release, top to bottom and I highly recommend this release of Willie J. Campbell's work (on bass on each track). Campbell died of ALS on December 19, 2022.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

Gulf Coast Records artist: The Proven Ones - You Ain't Done - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, You Ain't Done, from The Proven Ones, and it's a solid blues flavored rocker. Opening with Get Love, a contemporary blues rocker with hints of Jim Dewer, The Fab Thunderbirds and SRV, lead vocalist Brian Templeton has a powerful voice, and with the stinging guitar riffs of Kid Ramos and Mack McCarthy on trumpet, and with Jimi Bott on drums, Willie J Campbell on bass, and Anthony Geraci on keys, a super opener. Gone To Stay pushes further into the grunginess of rock and with a Nirvana like attack, ventures further into the rock arena. Bott's driving drum work really give this track a firm footing. With a firm backbeat, title track, You Ain't Done is one of my favorites on the release with solid vocal blending from Mike Zito and LaRhonda Steele, a great trumpet compliment from Mack, cool slide work from Ramos and a rich organ solo from Geraci. Ruthie Foster lends her fabulous lead vocal to Whom My Soul Loves, a strong ballad with nice piano work from Geraci. Mack steps up with a real nice sax solo on this one too giving it that extra punch. Excellent! Latin flavored, Nothing Left to Give, has great movement in percussion by Bott and with strong vocal lead and full horn compliment gives it even more spice. Fallen has great swagger with the vocal attitude of Templeton, the ace drumming of Bott and perfectly crafted guitar riffs of Ramos. Mack's horn playing is anything but window dressing with this track being really punchy. Wrapping the release is Favorite Dress with all of the rock and roll feel of a prime time Stones track. This is an excellent closer for a really solid release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

Shining Stone Records artist: Anthony Geraci - Why Did You Have To Go - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Why Did You Have To Go, from Anthony Geraci, and it's rich. Opening with R&B title track, Why Did You Have To Go, Sugar Ray Norcia is upfront on lead vocal backed by Michael Mudcat Ward on bass, Marty Richards on drums, Sax Gordon on sax, Doug Woolverton on trumpet and with stellar guitar styling by Monster Mike Welch and piano wizardry by Anthony Geraci. Excellent opener. Bluesy ballad, Angelina, Angelina is really strong with really nice piano work by Geraci and lead vocals by Sugaray Rayford. Welch is back again with signature tone, backed by Willie J Campbell on bass and Jimi Bott on drums. Very nice. Soul track, Two Steps Away From The Blues, features Michelle "Evil Gal" Willson on lead vocal with warm piano and B3 work by Geraci. Norcia is back on vocal and harp on Time's Running Out, an easy shuffle, joined by nice pace piano work by Geraci and the strong guitar accents by Ronnie Earl. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Baptized In The River Yazoo with Willie J Laws on piano duet with Geraci. The piano work here is terrific. Another track with dazzling piano is Too Many Bad Decisions with Dennis Brennan on lead vocal and Welch on guitar. Slow blues, My Last Good-Bye digs in deep with Norcia on vocal and harp. Piano tension and guitar excellence (by Earl) really gives this track edge, making it another of my choices for the release. Wrapping the release is jazzy A Minor, Affair with Troy Gonyea and Geraci leading the foundation of the track which features nice trumpet and sax solos by Wooverton and Beadle and a flight fingered guitar solo by Kid Ramos. Excellent closer for a strong release. 

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

 “Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE

New CD on VizzTone - Buy My Soul Back

GET THE NEW CD! www.kevinselfe.com Excited to announce the October 16 release of “Buy My Soul Back” on the VizzTone Label. The recording consists of 13 tunes, 12 of them originals, and features Jimi Bott, Allen Markel, Sugaray Rayford, Mitch Kashmar, Willie J Campbell, Gene Taylor, James Pace, Lisa Mann, Steve Kerin, Joe McCarthy, Brad Ulrich, Chris Mercer, Don Shultz, and Peter Moss. Get more info and tour dates at www.kevinselfe.com.  CONNECT WITH US! BOOKING kevin@kevinselfe.com +1 (540) 761-3957 ACCOLADES 14-Time Muddy Award Winner Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame Blues Blast Award Nominee Kevin Selfe has cemented his reputation as a masterful, dyed-through, true bluesman with his new release, Buy My Soul Back on the VizzTone Label.  This latest collection of songs reveals an unwavering dedication to the traditional blues school, and yields yet another deft homage to empty wallets, ne-er-do-wells, and the enduring theme of love's rapid melt. Selfe's transformation into a leading voice on the American blues scene was realized after landing on the Billboard and Living Blues Charts with his 2013 release, Long Walk Home.    Oft lauded for a traditional melodic sensibility broadcast through razor sharp guitar, Selfe's songwriting awakens, revealing an enriched sense of story telling, autobiography, and revelation.   Audiences from Virginia to Oregon, Selfe's former and current homes, thrill at his commitment to the role of high octane blues entertainer on the live stage -- where this new companion of songs was inspired, refined, and perfected.  Selfe's shows are part blues revival, part force of nature.   The list of blues stalwarts joining Selfe on Buy My Soul Back reads like a contemporary blues primer:  Sugaray Rayford, Jimi Bott, Mitch Kashmar, Lisa Mann, Gene Taylor, James Pace, Willie J. Campbell and host of others.  All combine to join forces with Selfe in a rich tapestry of traditional grooves seemingly forged in the speak-easies of mid-century Chicago, the Mississippi Delta, and rural Texas.  The tributes are authentic.  The energy is palpable.  The musicianship is extraordinary.  True blues fans will rejoice. REVIEW QUOTES "Kevin Selfe has followed up his highly successful album Long Walk Home with a recording just as strong if not more so. He showcases his knack for writing clever and catchy songs, sensational and tasty guitar work and his strong vocals to help him deliver the best package of music possible." Cascade Blues Association - Greg Johnson "thrilling set of blues originals from one of the genre’s rising stars" Blues Bytes - Graham Clarke "Punishing guitar work" Roanoke Times - Ralph Berrier LIVE PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

Delta Groove Music artist: Sugaray Rayford - Dangerous - New release review

I just received a copy of the newest release (September 17, 2013), Dangerous, by Sugaray Rayford and it's quite impressive. Rayford, well know as the featured voice of the Mannish Boys, has cut loose with his own release and he is backed by a huge list of talent. Opening with Country Boy and a strong smell of Chicago, Rayford's robust voice paves the way and Sugar Ray Norcia has the harp screaming. Anthony Geraci adds really nice key work on a solid bass by Willie J Campbell (bass) and Jimi Bott on drums. Stuck For A Buck has a bit of the James Brown shuffle going with Gino Matteo rippin fine guitar lead and Fred Kaplan warms the track with organ play. Rayford of course nicely handles lead vocals and a solid horn section made up of Ron Dziubla and Mark Pender cooks the track. On I'm Dangerous, Rayford and Norcia really grind deep in the blues. Norcia plays outstanding harmonica solos on this track making it one of my favorites on the release. Norcia shares the lead vocals on Two Times Sugar and Monster Mike Welch drops in for a really hot guitar solo. This is cool swingin blues that could make solid airplay. Another of my favorites is Pee Wee Crayton's When It Rains It Pours. Super soulful vocals by Rayford are nicely complimented by the strong guitar work of Frank Goldwasser and piano by Fred Kaplan. Super smokn track! Rayford's vocals on Charles Brown's Depression Blues have a beautiful lope and Kid Anderson takes the guitar solo to the edge... really sweet. This is another of the top highlights on the track. Bill Stuve adds a nice solid bottom on acoustic bass and Pender and Dziubla really round out the track. Goin' Back To Texas is a slow paced blues featuring some real nice slide wirk from Goldwasser, nice harp work from Kim Wilson and some of the richest vocals from Rayford on the release. I Might Do Somethin' Crazy has a real nice Willie Dixon style to it. Rayford's vocals really play into this track nicely and Kid Anderson again steps up with some spectacular guitar riffs. Excellent! Again on In The Dark, a swingin blues track, Rayford sings up a storm and really opens the doors for Anderson who kicks the guitar solo in the nuts. (Strong horns too!) Need A Little More Time takes an acoustic attack with strong vocals from Rayford backed by minimal percussion by Bott, and meaty work on National Steel Guitar by Goldwasser and harp by Chortkoff. Big Pete is featured on harp on Keep Her At Home, a quick paced boogie. The release is concluded with Son House's Preaching Blues. Goldwasser handles the slidework like a deer going through open pasture and with only like percussion, Rayford show surefooted command as his own band leader. Really super release!

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

This track is not from the release but is a good example of the music presented.

The Mannish Boys win the award for TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR

	The Mannish Boys win the award for TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR at the 34th Annual BLUES MUSIC AWARDS in Memphis, TN. ELVIN BISHOP JACKIE PAYNE MIKE FINNIGAN JUNIOR WATSON FRED KAPLAN ROB RIO ADRIANNA MARIE BILL STUVE CYNTHIA MANLEY BOBBY TSUKAMOTO MIKE TEMPO From Randy Chortkoff (CEO/PRODUCER of Delta Groove Music and band leader of THE MANNISH BOYS) Hey There Music Lovers and Blues Fans, I am very pleased and honored that The Mannish Boys were nominated and won the "Traditional Blues Album of the Year" for their 2012 release "Double Dynamite". The Mannish Boys have received 12 nominations over the past 7 years for "Band of the year" "Album of the year" and "Traditional Blues Album of the Year" but have never taken home an actual win. My feeling has always been that the nomination alone was something to be very proud of being that the nominating committee are basically our peers and represent not only blues fans but individuals that are proactive members of the Music/Blues community. At the Awards last week during our performance the director stopped us after the first of our allotted three songs to say that they were interrupting our performance to give out an award. Little did I know that the award was for Best Traditional Blues Album and that it would be presented by one of Delta/Eclecto Groove's favorite recording artists, Ana Popovic. From where I was standing on stage I could barely hear what the award was for or who won. It was our drummer and bass player Jimi Bott and Willie J Campbell who yelled out to me "We won!" I was so shocked that when I received the award I didn't even have the presence of mind to say anything other than "thank you" and dedicate the win to Finis Tasby and Kid Ramos who are both going through challenging health issues. I also made some lame comment about how beautiful Ana looked! Jimi, Willie, Sugaray Rayford and Franck Goldwasser should have been at the podium taking that trophy alongside me. There were so many others to thank as well… So, I want to take this opportunity to give thanks to all of the musicians and individuals that contributed to the success of this fine double CD. For those of you that may not be aware, "Double Dynamite" contains 26 songs and was recorded in it's entirety over the course of only 4 days! Besides the core band of Finis Tasby, Sugaray Rayford, Kirk Fletcher, Franck Goldwasser, Jimi Bott, Willie J Campbell and myself, there was 24 musicians making the total musical contribution a grand total of 31 musicians! I would like to thank The Mannish Boys, Mud Morganfield, Jackie Payne, James Harman, Mike Finnigan, Rod Piazza, Bob Corritore, Jason Ricci, Elvin Bishop, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson, Nathan James, Fred Kaplan, Rob Rio, Rich Wenzel, Bill Stuve, Bobby Tsukamoto, David "Woody" Woodford, Lee Thornburg, Mike Tempo, Cynthia Manley, Jessica Williams, Adrianna Marie, Clifton Curtis and Larry Dopson. This album would not have been possible without my Co-Producer and right-hand man Jeffery Scott Fleenor (background vocal and hand claps!), David Z (mixing), Ryan Foster (Mastering) and especially Rich Wenzel for Engineering as well as providing his great recording studio "Ardent Audio Productions". I would also like to thank Al Blake for his personal encouragement and his harmonica mentoring, Steve Savage for Elvin Bishop's technical assistance, Scott Dirks for liner notes, Grant Cihlar for photography, Joshua Temkin for photography, artwork and design, Melody Gonzalez for project coordination, Art Wade for Barbeque and the Delta Groove staff: Joshua Temkin, Steve Dixon, Tammie Barnum and Malcolm Wiseman. Wow, I'm exhausted! Of course I would be remised if I didn't thank the nominating committee and the true Blues fans who voted for us. The Mannish Boys are dedicated to keeping the essence of traditional Blues fresh and alive. Sincerely, Randy Chortkoff (CEO/PRODUCER of Delta Groove Music and band leader of THE MANNISH BOYS) MUD MORGANFIELD JASON RICCI ROD PIAZZA KID RAMOS JAMES HARMAN BOB CORRITORE NATHAN JAMES RICH WENZEL JESSICA WILLIAMS LEE THORNBURG DAVID Z WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM